Even though dog paws are naturally very well insulated and extremely resilient, they are still living tissue that can be damaged very quickly.
Rule of thumb barefoot or 7 second test
You usually have a sole under your feet. Even if it's just flip flops, the skin on your feet is protected. However, every dog owner can test for themselves what it feels like to walk barefoot on a street or sidewalk. If it is unpleasant for yourself (assuming normal calluses), then it is no longer okay for dog paws either.
The VGT (Association against Animal Factories) recommends the “7-second test”:
“In the so-called 7-second test, you press the back of your hand firmly onto the asphalt for seven seconds. If you can't do it because of the heat, you shouldn't expect your dog to do it either. In this case there is a serious risk of burns.”
The air temperature is not the same as the temperature of the different types of soil. Asphalt can be boiling hot in sunny weather with temperatures around 25° C, and in high heat and temperatures around 35° C, even up to 65° C. At such temperatures it should be obvious that this is not ideal for dog paws can be.
First aid
If dogs burn their paws, redness and swelling can be seen in the affected areas of the skin.
In severe cases, burn blisters or even black, charred areas of skin can form. You can imagine that this is extremely painful. In the event of a burn, it is essential to cool the dog's paws under running water, which should not be ice cold.
You should also see your vet as soon as possible. Afterwards, it is advisable to continue protecting your paws with a bandage or socks.
Summer tip collection for dog owners
There are numerous tips for the hot summer time that we can use to ensure that our dogs get through the day well.
- Enough water: According to the Hannover University of Veterinary Medicine, a dog weighing around 30 kg needs 900 ml of water per hour under constant stress (walks/exercise outside)! This means that two liters of water should be planned for a two-hour walk for a dog of the same size.
- Dark dogs' fur burns quickly: a white, moistened T-shirt or cloth can help (evaporation cold + sun doesn't exactly hit the dark fur).
- Dogs get sunburn anywhere where the fur doesn't cover the body tightly enough.
Many a French Bulldog has had his nose badly burned! (Any dog can be affected, regardless of breed.) The following applies: protect the skin wherever the (pink) dog skin is exposed to the sun! There are special sunscreens for this. Even freshly shorn dogs are at risk of sunburn. - Asphalt, concrete, sand, ...: When the sun hits it, the surface heats up - and even though we only want to walk around in flip-flops, we also have to take the dog's paws into account - nobody likes to walk on "hot coals" . Here it is also better to avoid grass.
- Prefer shade: If the dog voluntarily lies down in the blazing sun, that's okay as long as it doesn't lie there forever - keep an eye on it. Otherwise: offer shady places. There isn't one in front of the ice cream parlor? If in doubt, leave the dog at home.
- Walks at cooler times of day: In summer, long walks can be postponed to the morning and evening, especially when there is no water nearby - the atmosphere is particularly nice then.
- Options for cooling down: There are cooling mats for lying down, cooling vests and collars for driving, longer hikes or everyday life. There are shady “dog tents” in the park that can also serve as a place to retreat.
- Overheating: Dogs can suffer from heat stroke - water sports are usually good for them in the hot summer. The following applies to everything else: risk of overheating (including ball games in the shade!).
- Danger to life in the car: If the outside temperature is 25° C, the car heats up to 30° C inside temperature within five minutes and to 42° C within 15 minutes – DANGER TO LIFE! If you don't want to risk a broken car window or your dog's health, don't leave your dog alone in the car in summer. Even if the car is in the shade: it becomes an oven!
- Food can be stressful: If the dog gets food, the body has to digest it - this burns energy and can put a strain on the circulatory system, which is actually responsible for preventing the body from overheating. Dry food that swells in the stomach draws additional fluid out of the body. Makes sense: Small portions, main ration in the evening.
- Make your own dog ice cream: Mix natural yogurt with liver sausage and water and fill it into an ice cube maker! In small quantities, an absolutely welcome cooling solution. Kong ice cream is very popular with dogs - especially in the nasty midday heat.
Source: Veterinary practice Anke Meeuw , VGT
This might also be of interest: Heat wave: Car as a death trap for living beings
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